Fun Extras

Afterburner Communications

An epic bike race will test a team of local cyclists By Mike Savicki In theory, it’s a pretty straightforward task. Start at the Pacific Ocean, point your bike to the east and start pedaling. Take a few photos along the way and be…

The art and science of a NASCAR pit stop By Mike Savicki Here’s the scenario. A Sprint Cup car roars in to the pits and skids to a stop. In the blink of an eye, a collection of six tool-yielding surgeons launch over a…

By Mike Savicki Move over Michael Jordan, there is another extraordinary Carolina basketballer whose accomplishments over four decades merit a place alongside you as one of basketball’s great kings. Michael, meet Mooresville’s Dave Kiley. If you haven’t heard of him, well, he is arguably…

Coach Don Breaux has a lifetime of the sport to share By Mike Savicki If you took a poll of Panther fans entering Bank of America Stadium on any given Sunday, the chances are good that the overwhelming majority would not be able to identify…

From Davidson to London – Caroline Queen’s Olympic Quest By Mike Savicki If you happen to spot Caroline Queen on the Davidson College campus, where she is out of the water and away from her element, you might mistake her for your typical undergrad….

Karen Palacios-Jansen’s golf fitness program is changing the way golfers train and feel By Mike Savicki Karen Palacios-Jansen turns on the camera in her home golf and fitness studio before beginning one of her weekly online training classes. Armed with medicine balls, hand weights,…

Daniel Lynch combined his dreams of racing and firefighting into a life of service By Mike Savicki Have you ever wondered what it might be like to leave family, friends and a guaranteed job behind to chase a dream? What decision might you make…

Tim Caldwell turns tragedy into triumph By Mike Savicki Tim Caldwell’s story begins like so many we hear told on the nightly news or read about in the local paper. In an instant, life can change. In the blink of an eye, everything can…

By Mike Savicki We met for the first time twenty-four years ago when I was just a college kid. What brought me to her was nothing more than a macho roommate challenge that elevated into a 26.2-mile race. Looking back, I think I ran…

Phil Horton’s vision and philosophy elevate athletic performance By Mike Savicki Huntersville’s Phil Horton has both an athletic coaching and training resume that crosses collegiate and professional sports, and a philosophy that is as unique as it is successful. The Lenoir, North Carolina native,…